Lifeboat crew mutiny over closure plan

Volunteers at the St Abbs lifeboat station in Berwickshire have handed back their pagers to the RNLI and vowed to use their own boats in emergencies.

Crews over the years have saved 226 lives and been awarded bravery medals for their efforts in the North Sea.

The crew has saved 226 lives since the station opened

But the Royal National Lifeboat Institution wants to close the 104-year-old station later this year following a review on the best use of resources.

The area – extremely popular with divers – is set to be served by Eyemouth station, roughly two miles away.

The 14 volunteers have vowed to continue by using their own fishing boats to rescue those in danger.

Angus Skene was Deputy Launching Authority for the St Abbs station, and has been a volunteer with the RNLI for 35 years.

The area will be served by Eyemouth station – roughly 2 miles away

He said: “We came into work at 9am, and by 9:30 all of our pagers had been handed in.”

He added: “Lives will definitely be lost as a result of this closure. We are inundated with divers in the harbour over summer, and the boat from Eyemouth could take up to 15 minutes to get here if the weather is bad.

“A lot of our crew already have their own fishing boats, and we’ve promised to use them to continue to save people who come into difficulty in the harbour.

“Our boys know the area well and will be able to respond a lot quicker than the boat coming from two miles away.”

Angus Skene has said lives will “definitely be lost” due to the closure

He explained that the fishing boats “would be lucky” to reach speeds of 8 knots, compared to the official lifeboat which can travel four times as fast.

“Most of the people who get into trouble are only about 100 yards or so from land,” he added.

“However, it’s a proven fact that there have been times we haven’t been able to reach them on time even in the proper boat.

“People are going to die but we will do the best we can.”

An online petition has been set up to save the lifeboat station, which has already received over 2,000 signatures.

Angus Skene pictured at the station’s 100th anniversary

Many have highlighted the danger of a delayed response to call-ins.

Alastair Innes, vice-chair of Kelso Sub Aqua Club, said: “The Eyemouth lifeboat might just be ten minutes away, but that’s a long time if someone is in danger of drowning or a diver is missing. Response time is vital.”

David Fuller-Shapcott, of the Borders Water Rescue Team, said: “The St Abbs area draws a huge number of people, not just divers, but many tourists as well and the closure of this station will be a big blow from the safety cover point of view.”

Over the years, crew members have been awarded five silver and one bronze member for gallantry.

The most recent medal service was in 2011, when helmsman Darren Crowe was awarded the bronze medal after he swam into a cave and saved an angler who had fallen from rocks.

George Rawlinson, RNLI operations director, said: “The RNLI does not take lightly any decision to close a lifeboat station and we understand that this will be disappointing for our crew, supporters and the community at St Abbs.

“The lifeboat station has served the RNLI proudly for over 100 years, saved 226 lives and rescued many more in that time.

“On behalf of everyone at the RNLI I would like to thank the volunteers for their dedication and commitment to saving lives at sea.”